11/10/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley issued the following statement today regarding Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta's direction that he ensure appropriate disciplinary action was taken in regards to the management and procedures for operations at the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center, Dover Air Force Base, Del.:
"There is no question the Air Force is accountable to our joint teammates and the families of the fallen for this critical and sacred mission. The lapses in our standards at Dover, which we sincerely regret, are our responsibility to fix. I take very seriously Secretary Panetta's charge to ensure that appropriate disciplinary action was taken in regards to the Dover mortuary. Our review will be exceedingly thorough and rigorous, as our fallen and the families they leave behind deserve nothing less. Throughout the process, I want to reassure our military family that our fallen are being treated, and will continue to be treated, with the utmost reverence, dignity and respect."
